In his heyday, there was no fiercer competitor coming down the stretch in a major championship than Seve Ballesteros.
And the legendary Spaniard - a three-time British Open champion and two-time US Masters winner - is convinced Irish interests should show similar resolve in the quest, seemingly an ailing one, to have a home-grown captain for the 2006 Ryder Cup match at the K Club.
Over the past few months, it has seemed the momentum has been lost and the initiative has shifted away in Ireland's attempt to have either Des Smyth, Christy O'Connor Jnr or Eamonn Darcy installed as Europe's captain when the match is next played on this side of the Atlantic. Increasingly, the omens are that a non-Irish captain will be nominated with, possibly, an Irishman in the role of vice-captain or a lieutenant.
Indeed, a formal recommendation will be made next month during the week of the British Open on who will captain the European team for next year's defence of the trophy in Detroit, with the prospect that whoever is nominated as vice-captain will become favourite for the match in Straffan. Bernhard Langer is favourite to be handed the captain's role for 2004, but Ian Woosnam is also very much in the frame, while Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie have also intimidated their interest in the job when the Ryder Cup is played for the first time in Ireland in 2006.
Ballesteros, though, believes Ireland is entitled to have an Irish captain, just as Spain - who else but Ballesteros? - had a Spanish captain when the match was played in Valderrama in 1997.
When he captained Europe in Spain, Ballesteros insisted it would be a once-off duty. "I did say that was my last . . . but, as time goes by, people can always change their mind and I would like to become the captain again. Perhaps in Ireland, it would be great.
"But because it is going to be in Ireland, I think it would be really nice for an Irishman to be the captain. I have said so all along and I still feel that way.
"Ireland has done so much for golf over the years, from Harry Bradshaw, Christy O'Connor, Des Smyth and Philip Walton, Eamonn Darcy, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley. I am sure I have missed out some names because Irish golf has really contributed so many players and so much to the sport in Europe. You see all these guys, and the contribution of Irish golfers to tour golf, and it is why Ireland deserves to host the Ryder Cup and why Ireland deserves to have the captain. It deserves it very well."
Ballesteros does not go along with the argument that the prime Irish candidates for the position in Ireland in 2006 would be too far removed from tour life, considering they have all moved on to successful careers on the Seniors (Champions) Tour in the US.
"They should have the experience of playing in the Ryder Cup," said Ballesteros, "but the three names that have been mentioned as potential captains - Christy O'Connor, Des Smyth and Eamonn Darcy - are all deserving of the honour and either of the three would be a good captain. That is what I believe."
Pressure for an Irish captain at the K Club has been exerted - within the accepted boundaries - by influential people like Michael Smurfit, who has staged the European Open at the Kildare course since 1995, by tour players and, also, at ministerial level in the Government.
As for his own return to possible captaincy, there is a part of Ballesteros that would now love the challenge again - even though he had many sleepless nights in Valderrama - and, on reflection, Ballesteros added, "if I was asked (to be captain again), I'd consider it . . . but there are other people who deserve it and who are on the waiting list.
"I've had my glory as a captain and a player. To play in the Ryder Cup as a player is a pretty special feeling. To win a major in strokeplay is a special feeling. And to win the Ryder Cup and be captain is also something special, also because it was in Spain. I feel very lucky."
Ballesteros was on a flying visit to Ireland for the past three days as part of his contribution to the Special Olympics. Yesterday, he acted as starter - introducing each player - for the first round of the golf tournament at Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links, and he was especially impressed with the ability of each player to hit long and accurate tee-shots on the first hole, where Ballesteros was present for three hours.
"It's great to see people who are mentally disabled doing so well, being so happy and so brave, and trying so hard. I find it all very exciting," said Ballesteros, who spent Sunday attending swimming and athletics.
Meanwhile, six Irish players are confirmed for this week's French Open at the National Golf Club in Paris. Graeme McDowell, Paul McGinley - who has retired or missed the cut in his last three tournaments - and former winner Philip Walton are joined by Ronan Rafferty, Peter Lawrie and Gary Murphy in a tournament which boasts an increased prize fund since Malcolm Mackenzie won a year ago. Damien McGrane is third alternate and could yet secure a place in the field.
Darcy's runner-up finish to Doug Tewell in the Farmers Charity Classic on the US Champions Tour has moved him up to 29th place on the moneylist from only six tournaments. Darcy has now earned $339,979. Des Smyth, from 12 outings, is 18th with $519,409, and after his fine performance in the US Seniors PGA three weeks ago will this week be one of the favourites in the season's second major, the Seniors Open, where Christy O'Connor is also competing.
ORDER OF MERIT - Other Irish positions: 29, Peter Lawrie €280,711; 50, Paul McGinley €195,373; 63, Graeme McDowell €163,470; 134, Gary Murphy €63,135; 160, Damien McGrane €41,160; 176, Ronan Rafferty €32,106; 203, Philip Walton €20,539.
WORLD RANKINGS - Top 20: 1 Tiger Woods (US) 15.16pts ave, 2 Ernie Els (Rsa) 9.24, 3 Mike Weir (Can) 7.91, 4 Davis Love (US) 7.56, 5 Vijay Singh (Fij) 7.55, 6 Jim Furyk (US) 7.26, 7 David Toms (US) 6.46, 8 Padraig Harrington (Irl) 6.42, 9 Phil Mickelson (US) 6.34, 10 Kenny Perry (US) 5.60, 11 Retief Goosen (Rsa) 5.44, 12 Nick Price (Zim) 5.27, 13 Justin Leonard (US) 4.59, 14 Chris DiMarco (US) 4.10, 15 Sergio Garcia (Spa) 3.89, 16 Robert Allenby (Aus) 3.59, 17 Bob Estes (US) 3.46, 18 Colin Montgomerie (Sco) 3.28, 19 Scott Verplank (US) 3.27, 20 Jerry Kelly (US) 3.26.
